22 April: Earth Day
Earth Day is an annual event, celebrated on April 22, on which day events worldwide are held to demonstrate support for environmental protection. It was first celebrated in 1970, and is now coordinated globally by the Earth Day Network and celebrated in more than 193 countries each year.
Important facts about Earth Day
Important facts about Earth Day
- This year is 46th anniversary of Earth Day.
- In 1969 at a UNESCO Conference in San Francisco, peace activist John McConnell proposed a day to honor the Earth and the concept of peace, to first be celebrated on March 21, 1970, the first day of spring in the northern hemisphere.
- It recognises that Earth and its ecosystems provide its inhabitants with life and sustenance.
- It also aims to raise awareness that humans have a collective responsibility to promote harmony with nature and to balance the economic, social and environmental needs of present and future generations.
- 2016 Theme: ‘Trees for the Earth!’. The theme signifies that trees are crucial for combating climate change as they absorb harmful levels of Carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere.
- This year’s Earth Day coincides with the signing of the historic Paris Agreement on Climate Change. The agreement is a legally binding on signatory countries to limit global temperature rise to well below 2 degrees Celsius.